Sources close to the story have told The Daily Beast that the payment was significantly greater, and was made to a U.S. official on American soil.

According to the Daily Mail, which unlike the Daily Beast has managed to contact News Corp, a spokesman for the company said the story was just “a lame attempt to regurgiate old news”.

A spokesman added: “We didn't believe then, and certainly don't believe now, that it was wrong to acquire and publish newsworthy photographs of a notorious war criminal.”

Back in 2005, Press Gazette reported that Saddam's lawyer was considering legal action over the pictures.

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A spokesman for The Sun said at the time: "Our legal department has not heard anything. The idea that this mass-murdering ruthless dictator is upset because someone has taken his picture is beyond belief."